We run Linux Mint at the shop but for transferring cnc programs out of my machines I have to run Windows based software on a Windows emulator within Linux.

I know enough not to go online while using Windows but would just being connected to the net pose any sort of threat?

This computer is connected (wireless) as soon as it's powered (and it gets the right pw)

Would there be viruses trolling the net looking for active connections?

How paranoid should I be here?

Obviously since we run Linux there are not anti virus programs installed here. 

You should do yourself a favor and install some level of protection on the virtual Windows. There's free stuff like AGV or F-prot that should be fine.

If you're not going out an about on the windows VM that helps a lot, but if you're connected to the interwebs, a level of protection is wise.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/products/security-essentials

And then fogedda bout it.  Seriously.  Lest you have someone trolling the web for porn there at work....

Quote from: Monsterlover on November 14, 2011, 05:56:28 AM
I know enough not to go online while using Windows but would just being connected to the net pose any sort of threat?

This computer is connected (wireless) as soon as it's powered (and it gets the right pw)

Would there be viruses trolling the net looking for active connections?

How paranoid should I be here?

you should be very paranoid. =)

past reports have shown an unpatched windows machine connected directly to the internet will last minutes before being compromised.

survivability goes up if you're using nat, personal firewall, etc...

if you're behind a router, you're likely already nat'ing. personal firewall should be enabled by default, depending on which version of windows you're running.

either way, your first order of business is getting up to date by browsing to http://www.update.microsoft.com.

after that, behind a nat/firewall, you should be fine.

as suggested above, i run microsoft security essentials on my windows vms at home.

Are you using WINE or VMware?   WINE appears to be pretty safe if that is an option - I think the only way you could get infected is if the virus targeted specific vulnerabilities in the emulated instance of the CNC application (as opposed to the whole OS, other applications running on the same box, etc).  That would be a really, really specific virus
http://media.codeweavers.com/pub/crossover/case_studies/WineAndSecurity.pdf

Quote from: il d00d on November 14, 2011, 07:45:18 AM

Are you using WINE or VMware?  

my guess is xen or virtualbox.

I better get my wife involved in this thread.  You guys are asking questions that are well above my pay grade. I just cut metal.

It's VirtualBox, and behind a router.  I suppose I could install antivirus on it, just to be safe.  **shivers**

Quote from: r00tchick on November 14, 2011, 09:58:53 AM
It's VirtualBox, and behind a router.  I suppose I could install antivirus on it, just to be safe.  **shivers**

Make it so, Number One.

lol.   

Sad Panda, that is freakin awesome. 

Quote from: Punx Clever on November 14, 2011, 06:55:58 AM
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/products/security-essentials

And then fogedda bout it.  Seriously.  Lest you have someone trolling the web for porn there at work....

another plug for security essentials. all i have been using since it came out, with no issues.

Another +1 for MSSE. And as a senior security admin/analyst for a large enterprise, outside of a full blown actively administered AV/malware/spyware product, Microsoft has hit a pretty solid home run with this free product.